FALL GROWING FORAGE:
Small Grains

The use of winter
cereal crops such as wheat, barley, rye, or triticale can provide fall
or early winter grazing opportunities. However, certain management practices
need to be modified from what is normally done for grain production. When
small grains are to be used for grazing, plant them three to four weeks
earlier than for grain production. Increase the seeding rate to 3 bu/acre
and apply nitrogen at the rate of 40 lbs/acre at planting time.

If the small grains
are being planted only for pasture (with no subsequent grain harvest),
there may be some benefit to mixing small grains species. This has been
beneficial in the southeast United States, where small grains pastures
are quite common. Mixing species of rye, wheat, barley, or triticale can
help extend the grazing period and reduce the tendency for a strong peak
growth period in the spring.

Grazing Management

With adequate fall
moisture, grazing should be available from October through December and
then again in early spring. One acre of properly fertilized and managed
small grains should support one animal unit (1,000 lb animal) on a limited
grazing basis.

Stocking rate and
time of grazing will be somewhat determined by the intended use of the
crop. If you are planning to take a silage or grain harvest, grazing should
only be moderate. Heavy grazing can reduce grain yields. Moderate grazing
in the fall will not result in significant silage or grain losses provided
that moisture and soil fertility are adequate. In fact, fall pasturing
can be beneficial where the small grain was seeded early and has made
excessive growth.

Spring grazing may
be started when growth resumes. If a grain or silage crop is to be harvested,
grazing should be discontinued when the plants start to grow erect, just
before jointing (growth stage 6). Small grains plants will be injured
by grazing at any time after their growing points are above the ground.

Temporary electric
fencing should provide a practical way to manage these pastures. Although
small grains can be continuously grazed, a rotational or strip grazing
practice may allow a higher carrying capacity (less wastage from trampling).
Small grains pasture is lush, high in protein, and low in fiber during
most of the fall grazing period. Crude protein levels normally range from
15 percent to 34 percent of dry matter, making this forage an excellent
protein supplement for many classes of livestock.

Animal Health
Precautions

Grass tetany can
occur when small grains forage is grazed by cows about to calve or those
which have recently calved. This usually occurs in the spring. It is recommended
that animal diets be supplemented with a mineral mix containing magnesium.
Lactating dairy cows that are grazing small grain pasture should receive
an additional 1 ounce of magnesium oxide/cow/day.

There is a risk of
nitrate poisoning if animals graze rapidly growing and recently fertilized
small grains pasture. Avoid this situation by applying nitrogen fertilizer
at planting time or well before the intended grazing period.

Although rare, bloat
may also be a health risk when animals graze small grains. This most likely
will occur when animals are first turned onto pasture in early spring
and gorge themselves with the lush forage. Bloat can be prevented by feeding
some stored forage just before turning the animals onto the pasture.